It’s Martin Luther King Day today, the official holiday put in place to recognize the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As Wikipedia says

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and sometimes referred to as MLK Day) is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. King’s birthday is January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The earliest Monday for this holiday is January 15 and the latest is January 21.

BUT here is the kicker. Although after many years of campaigning President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first officially observed three years later, some states resisted observing the holiday.

It was sometimes given alternative names, mixed with other holidays and all that hogwash. AND…. it was only observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

WHAT! That’s 20 years ago!

So, let us not forget this. A celebration for a man who fought the rights of Americans and died pretty much for that right was still being rejected by some states 20 years ago.

This is why we cannot forget his legacy.

Library of Congress [Public domain]